1. Total number of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (charging guns) in China exceeds 21 million
According to data from the national charging facility monitoring and service platform, as of the end of April 2026, the total number of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (charging guns) in China reached 21.955 million, a year-on-year increase of 47.4%. Among them, public charging infrastructure (charging guns) totaled 4.907 million, a year-on-year increase of 29.6%, with a total rated power of 237 million kilowatts and an average power of approximately 48.38 kilowatts; private charging infrastructure (charging guns) totaled 17.048 million, a year-on-year increase of 53.5%, with a declared electricity capacity of 149 million kilovolt-amperes.
2. Concerns over the overweight trend in new energy vehicles
When "large refrigerators, large TVs, and large sofas" become standard equipment, when new energy vehicle companies use "upgraded dimensions" as a selling point, Chinese consumers seem to have already accepted a fact: new cars are getting bigger and heavier. MIIT data shows that in 2024, the average curb weight of new passenger cars in China reached 1,704 kilograms, while in 2012 this figure was only 1,312 kilograms. In just 12 years, an ordinary family car has been forced to "gain" nearly 400 kilograms in weight. What is more worrying is that the speed of vehicle weight gain is accelerating: the weight gain from 2020 to 2024 exceeds the total weight gain from 2012 to 2020. This is even more pronounced in new energy vehicles, with average curb weights often exceeding 2 tons. In 2024, Li Auto and Seres both exceeded 2.4 tons, Nio exceeded 2.2 tons, and XPeng exceeded 2 tons.
Although 2025 latest data has not yet been released, looking at the emerging trends, the "weight gain" of new cars is not optimistic. Recently, two Zunjie models landed in the MIIT, both with total mass exceeding 3 tons, with the Zunjie V800 reaching 3.8 tons—heavier than a light truck. "This change can be attributed to the expansion of body dimensions caused by consumers' pursuit of large SUVs, the battery weight expansion driven by the pursuit of long range in new energy vehicles, and the excessive stacking of configurations such as refrigerators, TVs, and multi-functional ultra-luxury seats," Professor Han Zhiyu of the School of Automotive Studies at Tongji University stated in an interview with the media. With the rapid improvement of new energy vehicle penetration rates, the phenomenon of automotive "obesity" is becoming increasingly prominent. During interviews, the reporter found that industry insiders generally call for regulatory measures on the phenomenon of vehicle "weight gain". Multiple interviewees confirmed that relevant regulatory departments have begun to discuss a reform of the automobile tax system based on vehicle weight.
3. Japanese cars hit hard by the US
Once the financial reports came out, Japanese car manufacturers fell silent. Under the combined influence of multiple unfavorable factors, profits for the seven major Japanese car companies—Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Subaru, and Mitsubishi—shrunk significantly. Net profit for the 2026 fiscal year (April 2026-March 2027) is expected to be half of that of the 2023 fiscal year (April 2023-March 2024), which was the historical peak. Even Toyota, which once made a fortune in the global auto market, is experiencing a difficult situation of declining profits for consecutive years. Sales increased by 5.5%, but net profit fell by 19.2%, and operating profit dropped by 21.5%. Honda's operating loss reached 414.3 billion yen, marking the first annual loss in nearly 70 years since listing.
Interestingly, the two core external factors leading to the significant profit shrinkage of Japanese car companies are related to the United States. First, the US-Iran conflict caused shipping blockage in the Strait of Hormuz. Second, the high tariffs imposed by the US Trump government acted like two shackles, squeezing from both sides and continuously pressuring, tightly locking down the global supply chain and profit system of Japanese automobiles. On one side is the brute-force harvesting of trade protectionism, on the other is the indiscriminate impact of the geopolitical storm. Japanese car companies are struggling to move within these two whirlwinds.
4. SAIC Group overall vehicle production and sales about to break 100 million
SAIC Group announced that at the end of this month, it will welcome the delivery of the 100 millionth global user, becoming the first automotive group in China's automotive history to accumulate production and sales exceeding 100 million vehicles. The predecessor of SAIC can be traced back to the Shanghai Internal Combustion Engine Parts Manufacturing Company in 1955. The first Phoenix brand sedan was produced in 1958, the first domestic Santana was assembled in 1983, and the world's first Internet car was launched in 2015. Currently, SAIC's products and services cover over 170 countries and regions, with cumulative overseas deliveries exceeding 7 million vehicles. It has built four major manufacturing and production centers in Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan, as well as three major research and innovation centers including London.
5. 2026 Model Sea Lion 06 DM-i Starts at 129,900 Yuan
The 2026 BYD Sea Lion 06 DM-i has officially launched. The official guide price for the 4 configurations is 129,900 to 159,900 yuan. The new model made adjustments to appearance and interior details, adding Luguang Silver exterior and Muse Blue interior color schemes, making the style more minimalist and fashionable. In terms of comfort configuration, features such as seat massage, passenger leg rest, and in-car fragrance have been added, further optimizing the driving experience.
Intelligent configuration also advances in sync, supporting the optional selection of God's Eye B Auxiliary Driving Laser Version, providing urban leading assistance, highway leading assistance, and full-scenario detour yielding functions. In terms of chassis, the YunNian-C Intelligent Damping Control System has been added, with a new road surface preview function. Range capability is also a highlight of this model change, with CLTC pure electric range breaking through a maximum of 300 km.
6. Suspected Leapmotor C16 Long Wheelbase Version Spy Photos Exposed
Recently, a set of spy photos of a suspected Leapmotor C16 Long Wheelbase Version road test were released on the internet. The test vehicle was wrapped in tight camouflage stickers, but the body outline and some details already revealed many clues. The front face design is consistent with the new C16, the wheelbase and third-row body area are significantly lengthened, and the rear overhang size is greatly increased, effectively improving third-row seating space.
Coinciding with Leapmotor Auto about to launch the new C16, industry insiders speculate that the possibility of launching a long-wheelbase version simultaneously is relatively high. Although the spy photos did not display interior details, combining Leapmotor C16's product positioning and new model planning, the long-wheelbase version is expected to continue the core configuration of the current model and may further improve comfort.
7. Ferrari's First Electric Vehicle Debut
Amidst European and American car companies reducing their EV transformation efforts, luxury sports car brand Ferrari, the European company with the highest market value, officially launched its first pure electric vehicle — Luce (meaning "Light" in Italian), with a starting price of 550,000 Euros, approximately 4.34 million RMB. To boost market expectations, Ferrari specially invited Apple legendary designer Jonathan Ive and his founded LoveFrom design agency to participate in the design. Without unexpected issues, this car is covered with iPhone's iconic Corning Glass, and the entire upper part of the body and interior such as the central control appear with large-area glass elements.
This car is also Ferrari's first 5-seat model, adopting a hatchback body design. The interior retains the traditional steering wheel, knobs, and switches, as well as the central console characterized by glass design. Although the whole vehicle is over 5 meters long, this electric vehicle can still complete 0 to 60 mph acceleration in less than 2.5 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 192 mph. As a sacrifice for performance, even with the 122 kWh battery pack equipped with 800V electrical architecture, the Luce's full-charge range is only 330 miles.
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